Happy Independence Day! I recently visited Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Completed in 1753, both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated, signed and adopted here. Independence Hall was the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1783 and was the site of the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787. The Liberty Bell is housed in a museum next door and the gravesite of Benjamin Franklin is located nearby. Such glorious history… - Travis Simpkins
Independence Hall. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Declaration of Independence
Independence Hall. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Independence Hall. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: George Washington's Chair
Independence Hall. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Declaration of Independence
Independence Hall. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Declaration of Independence
Prior to the formal 2009 release of his bestselling novel, The Lost Symbol, author Dan Brown hinted that the subject would focus on the Freemasons and Washington, D.C. Some Masonic authors and historians felt that, given Brown's tendency towards sensationalism, a preemptive strike might help to clear up any falsehoods and misrepresentations contained in the forthcoming book featuring Brown's popular mystery-decoding protagonist, Robert Langdon.
Christopher Hodapp's well-researched 2007 book, Solomon's Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of Washington, D.C. offers a sense of the real history behind the founding of the United States and it's interwoven fit within the often-downplayed subtext of Freemasonry. Hodapp, himself a 33° Mason, focuses on the Masonic principles that provided the framework for many of our Nation's most cherished fundamentals... including freedom of religion, civil rights, voting and equality. Hodapp points out what other mainstream authors fail to recognize: "Freemasonry was the firstborn son of the Enlightenment, and it was a greater single influence on our Founding Fathers than any other."
The book traces the concept of a free-thinking Utopia or New Atlantis, conceived by Thomas More and Francis Bacon, through the hard-battled Revolution that formed the United States of America in the 18th Century, to the present day. A prologue involving the November 4, 1752 initiation of George Washington into the order of Freemasons at Fredericksburg sets the stage for a fortuitous series of events… in which our First President (and America's most famous Mason) plays a key part.
Expertly written, with Hodapp's keen sense of humor present throughout, the book offers readers an open door to further light. Many topics and historical figures are covered (far more than can be mentioned here), including the Sons of Liberty, Paul Revere, John Hancock, Pierre Charles L'Enfant, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, ceremonial laying of cornerstones, symbolism of the Great Seal, hidden Masonic symbols in the street layout of the the Capitol, Ancient Greek and Roman influences, Egyptian motifs, Albert Pike and the 33° Scottish Rite House of the Temple. Guides to artwork and Masonic-influenced buildings are featured, including the United States Capitol, the White House, the George Washington Masonic Memorial, the Washington Monument and various Masonic Lodge buildings in the D.C. area. Well worth the cover price, the book provides an intriguing 291 page sojourn through Masonic American History.
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Signing the Declaration of Independence
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Declaration of Independence
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Masonic Initiation
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: George Washington as a Freemason
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Masonic Lights. Holy Bible, Square and Compassess
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Paul Revere
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: plan of Washington, DC
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: plan of Washington, DC. Masonic symbols
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: John Hancock
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: The White House
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Benjamin Franklin as a Freemason
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Masonic Apron and working tools
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Old Masonic Temple. Washington, DC
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Masonic symbols on the dollar
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: George Washington as Zeus
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Apotheosis of George Washington
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: masonic symbols, Washington, DC
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: United States Capitol
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Washington Monument
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Albert Pike
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: House of the Temple, Scottish Rite
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Albert Pike
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: House of the Temple, Scottish Rite
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Albert Pike
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Washington National Cathedral
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: Washington National Cathedral
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: George Washington Masonic Memorial
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: George Washington Masonic Memorial
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: George Washington Masonic Memorial
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: George Washington Masonic Memorial
Solomon's Builders. by Christopher Hodapp: The Lost Symbol. by Dan Brown
